Through 7 weeks the Cowboys come out of the bye with a 5-1 record and 1 game lead in the NFC East.

Team Leaders:

Dak Prescott: 63-93 1421yds 11TD 8INT

Ezekiel Elliott: 85carries 582yds 10TD

Deryan Floyd: 19rec 529yds

John Ross: 15rec 417yds

Amari Cooper: 14rec 304yds

Demarcus Lawrence: 9 Sacks

Felix Britt: 5 sacks

Jaylon Smith: 4 INT

Whats gone right?

1. The Rushing Offense - Dallas continues to run the ball with consistency as Zeke amassed 255 yards on 33 carries in weeks 4-6. His per carry average did come back to earth a little but, but is still a healthy 6.8, along with 10 trips into the end zone.
2. Terryan Floyd - Floyd started the season well, but went off in weeks 4-6 gaining 303 yards receiving with 2TDs. Look for the rookie to continue to put up stats in the middle of the field as teams focus on Cooper and Ross.
3. The Defense - Dallas did give up 28 points to the Bills in week 4, but came back with dominating efforts against Seattle and Arizona.

Whats gone wrong?

1. Turnovers - Rather than secure the ball, Dak’s INT numbers have actually increased. With 5 INT in weeks 4-6. A similar performance in the 2nd half of the season could cost the Cowboys a playoff spot. This is something the team needs to work on. 

Previous Schedule(Opponents Combined Record: 7-2):

16-28 L @Buffalo Bills 

24-13 W @Seattle Seahawks

33- 7 W Vs. Arizona Cardinals

Dallas took care of an early season test going 2-1 against a tough stretch of 3 games maintaining their lead in the NFC East. 

Upcoming Schedule(Opponents Combined Record: 15-12):

@ Miami Dolphins

Vs. LA Rams

Vs. Carolina Panthers

@ Chicago Bears

Expectations:

Dallas needs to make ti through the next stretch 3-1 in order to stay on track in the division. This will not be easy with an underrated Dolphins squad up next followed by the resurgent Rams, always .500 Panthers and a tough Bears opponent. Dallas could easily go 2-2, but this writer thinks they make it through 3-1 and head into the final stretch 8-2.

Contract Negotiations:

Byron Jones - resigned on a one year deal for 17 Mil to stay with the Cowboys

The Cowboys have still been unable to come to terms with Demarcus Lawrence. Rumors are beginning to fly that this could turn into a Tag situation. 

After the start to the season the Cowboys are 3-0 and looking poised to repeat as division champions. Is this fact or fiction? We’ll dissect below:

Team Leaders:

Dak Prescott: 32-40 682yds 7TD 3INT

Ezekiel Elliott: 42carries 327yds 7TD

Deryan Floyd: 6rec 226yds

John Ross: 9rec 204yds

Amari Cooper: 9rec 175yds

Demarcus Lawrence: 5 Sacks

Felix Britt: 4 sacks

Jaylon Smith: 3 INT

Whats gone right?

1. The Rushing Offense - Dallas has gone back to its roots on offense and is running the ball more consistently than the past few seasons. This is somewhat of a surprise after losing Tyron Smith and Zack Martin in the offseason. Zeke is averaging a career high 7.8 yards per carry and already has amassed 329 yards and 7 TDS. In garbage time Tony Pollard has come in and blitzed defenses for 11.3 yards per carry. It was expected that the team would let Pollard go in FA last offseason, but they are definitely happy they were able to work out a long term deal.
2. The Passing Offense - The Cowboys have finally remembered what made Dad Prescott the first QB in the league to have a 130+ QB rating in three straight seasons. Last year there were a lot of forced passes as the ball was fed to Cooper and Ross. This season Dak has spread the ball more equally with Rookies Teryan Floyd and Lincoln Barkley getting involved. The Cowboys have been especially happy with the TE rookie Floyd as he’s started the year with 6-226 and 3 TDs
3. RedZone Offense - Dallas was a perfect 6-6 in the redbone before taking 3 knees from inside the 20 to close out their week 3 game against the 49ers.
4. The Defense - This has been the Jaylon Smith show early in the season with 3 INT and a sack. Demarcus Lawrence who is in a contract year appears revitalized with 5 sacks after a slight dip in 2022. He’s been joined by 3rd year player Felix Britt who has chipped in 4 sacks of his own and is also in a contract year.

Whats gone wrong?

1. Turnovers - Dak has still been loose with the ball throwing 3 INT early in the season. A fumble week one changed the momentum in what was trending as a blow out victory against the Jets and turned into a one point nail biter.
2. Woods/Woods Safety Duo - Last year the Dallas safeties combined for 17 INT. This year with an added emphasis on stopping the run the Woods duo has had to play less aggressively and its shown in their decrease in turnovers.
3. Red Zone Defense - The defense has allowed 4TDS and 1 FG in 7 opponent trips to the RedZone. There has been added emphasis on this aspect of the game in practice before the week 4 matchup with the Buffalo Bills.

Upcoming Schedule(Opponents Combined Record: 7-2):

@Buffalo Bills

@Seattle Seahawks

Vs. Arizona Cardinals

Expectations:

The Cowboys have to win at least 2 of the next 3 games to keep pace in the NFC East. Six of the last 8 games of the season are against 2022 playoff teams so the team needs to keep their momentum. Dallas could easily lose all three of these games, but this writer thinks they make it through 2-1 and head into the bye week at 5-2

Contract Negotiations:

Byron Jones - resigned on a one year deal for 17 Mil to stay with the Cowboys

Rumors continue to circulate that the Cowboys will next look to lock up their DE duo of Demarcus Lawrence and Felix Britt. After a few years of being cap strapped the Cowboys finally have money to spare.